A $5 set of used golf clubs could be the deal of a lifetime for a New Mexico man.
When Larry Brooks bought a black Callaway bag attached to a pull cart from a thrift store, he had no idea that it would contain a gold medal he believes was awarded to 1940 Masters Tournament runner-up Lloyd Mangrum.
"I heard something rattling around," said Mr. Brooks, who lives in McIntosh, N.M. "I stood it back up, and I was shaking the bag out with golf balls, tees and stuff falling out. I could still hear something falling out."
The retired man found a black plastic sleeve with a medal in it.
The front of the medal has the words Augusta National Golf Club and shows a replica of the clubhouse. The back says Masters Tourna ment and has "Lloyd Mangrum," "runner-up" and "1940" engraved. The medal features the club's distinctive logo of the outline of the United States with a flagstick marking Augusta.
The medal is gold, Mr. Brooks said, and that's where the questions begin. Masters records indicate that the tournament runner-up received a silver medal beginning in 1951. The Masters winner has received a gold medal since the tournament's inception in 1934.
The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., has a silver medal from 1935 runner-up Craig Wood on display. According to the World Golf Hall of Fame, the 1935 medal is on loan from a private collector and is the original medal issued to Wood.
Mr. Brooks has contacted numerous organizations and memorabilia dealers in an attempt to authenticate his medal. Most agree it is real, but they're not sure of its value.
Mr. Brooks talked with a representative from Augusta National, but the club wants to see it before determining its authenticity.
"In the golfing world, it's a pretty significant find," Mr. Brooks said. "To a collector that's a Masters buff, it's probably priceless."
Mangrum, a native of Trenton, Texas, who died in 1973, played in 20 Masters between 1940 and 1962. He was runner-up to Jimmy Demaret in 1940, and he tied for second in 1949. He shot a course-record 64 in the opening round in 1940, a score that wasn't equaled until Jack Nicklaus matched it in the third round of the 1965 Masters.
Mangrum served in World War II and was injured during the invasion of Normandy and at the Battle of the Bulge. According to his World Golf Hall of Fame profile, he received two Purple Hearts and four battle stars for his service.
Mr. Brooks, who describes himself as a recreational golfer and has never been to Augusta, isn't sure what he will do with the medal.
"He may have a family member who is still alive," he said. "To me it's a piece of history. But I'm having a ball with this thing."
Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or john.boyette@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Return it to the family
Great find, why doesn't Augusta have a museum dedicated to the torunament? It seems entire wings of the Augusta Museum of History are empty while we have plenty of history.
hold out for the high price -- you should make good money from this
Why return it?Obviously no one was missing it
Find a collector!...Stay far..far...away from dealers (crooks). Somewhere out there is a person who will pay you a fair price for that medal for their collection..be patient and NO DEALERS !!!!!
The person that donated the golf set will most likely show up saying it belonged to him. Probably several new owners will come out of the woodworks now. But, "Finders/Keepers - Losers/Weepers" as they say. Only a police report stating that it was lost/stolen should be involved. No report, no clubs/coin, etc.
Good luck Larry.
The Augusta Museum of History is currently working on an exhibit just as Brad Owens mentioned. Artifacts and memorabilia are being sought and acquired, including those related to the Masters.
It will take money and a little time, but by some time next year it should be ready.
There are a lot of unanswered questions like how did the previous owner of the used clubs get this medal? Why is it gold and not silver? It will be interesting to see the outcome.
The right thing to do is offer it to the family.
If the family wants it back they should pay for it.
The equivalent of winning the lottery!
If the family was at all interested in it , why had they not checked the bag before giving it to the thrift store. I think the guy that has it is entitled to keep it, and do what he pleases with it. He bought the bag and whatever was in it!!
He definitely hit the jackpot with that bag $5!
eBay
What often happens when an elderly person becomes ill and has to go to a nursing home, or dies, is that somebody else just goes through their house and throws stuff out. It was probably hidden there, it's very valuable. I personally wouldn't want something under those circumstances.
I contacted the family to see if they knew anything about it. I should hear something back pretty soon.
"One person's junk is another person's treasure" gets proven for an infinite number of times. To me personally, I might pay about thirty dollars for it. But as to what I would take for it from someone who really wanted it, well that's a whole different story. And a story that Mr. Brooks happily finds himself in.
kb1376; Who asked you to contact the family? What's in it for you? After all those years, and they did not track down thier relitive, why now??
1941, I asked myself to contact the family since I have several family members on my speed dial. I figured it would be nice to let them know that Lloyd's coin was found and if there was anything I could do to help them. What's in it for me? Helping family.
This commit is for KB1376. My phone has not rang. Since I am Lloyd’s closest living blood relative, I thought I must be on your speed dial and you just could not reach me. Ops Sorry I now know who KB is and yes he has certain members of the family on speed dial. This goes to 1941 KB1376 is not out for anything he is like a member of the family
Now for my real commit. I have only one question. How did the metal end up in New Mexico. Lloyd died in Apple Valley CA. His wife Elita died in or around Palm Springs. His step kids families are in California and his Nephews live in Texas. I do not know of any relatives in NM
Nice story.
I think it should be given to the family as well..then let them decide..
What about the golf bag also??
You are nice to consider giving it to the family. Think how you will feel if you make a gift to them. That is more priceless than anything you can make off of it.